Walk along the busy streets of Salcedo, Makati and you’ll chance upon a pasta bar called Trufa. Upon entering, a cool cozy and woody aesthetic will catch your eye, alongside two wooden clocks hanging on the wall – one for the Philippines and one for Barcelona, Spain. As it turns out, this restaurant is inspired by the two places which are closest to owner Tricia Espino’s heart, which is why much of the restaurant’s design came from her experience. For instance, the decor actually resembles her own Barcelona pad and if you look closely, the mural on the wall depicts the red carnation and sampaguita, the national flowers of Spain and the Philippines, respectively.The same design inspiration can be said for the older branch in Legaspi founded 2 years ago. Although the two may look alike, they each have their own vibe.
Trufa Pasta Bar has always been known for their creative DIY pastas. Fun fact: they rounded up all the possible combinations you can make with their many variations of sauce, pasta, and toppings, and there’s actually 1,200 (one for every day of the week, maybe?). Now on their second year with two branches in tow, they’re switching up the gears to introduce a couple of new non-pasta dishes to their already vibrant menu.
The Hamburguesa is exclusive to their pilot branch in Legaspi. From its name alone, you can easily tell that these are burgers served the Spanish way. The perfect companion to an after-work drinking session, it has a runny sunny-side-up egg and luscious bacon strip sitting on top, along with succulent beef patty and the usual burger fixings, with a hefty one-two punch of kamote and potato chips on the side.
Meanwhile, the Coca is meant to complement the Salcedo branch’s laid-back atmosphere. The thin-crust Spanish pizza (a.k.a. flat bread) is available in two flavors. The Coca de Carne is tomato-based and has a generous amount of meat toppings, while the Coca de Trufa is a perfectly delightful combination of truffle and mushroom.
Whichever branch you visit, Trufa guarantees a memorable experience. Apart from its excellent fares, its welcoming ambiance will definitely make you come back for more.
Originally posted at breakfastmag.com
